Cover

Cover

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually occurs between the toes. The most common places to contract athlete’s foot include public pools, locker rooms, or showers. At Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates we advise our patients to wear sandals or some type of footwear while in public areas.

People with athlete’s foot will notice a rash on the top of their feet that can cause itching, stinging, and burning. When you have athletes foot, your feet are likely to itch when you take your shoes and socks off. If not treated, the rash from athlete’s foot can spread to other areas when you touch it.

To avoid contracting athlete’s foot we encourage our patients to wear the proper socks. Dri-fit socks are recommended for working out and any other physical activity. When sweat builds up on your feet too much, you are at a greater risk of getting athletes foot.

There are anti-fungal athlete’s foot treatments available over the counter. If you notice your athlete’s foot isn’t getting better after 24 weeks, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with us to discuss prescription treatment options.

To schedule an appointment with us and to learn more about all of the services provided at our practice, please visit our website at https://www.integrityfootandankle.com/ or contact us at 440-282-1221. Our office is located at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road in Lorain Ohio.

Saturday, June 22, 2019

Risks of a Twisted Ankle

Cleveland baseball fans may have been concerned this week when Mike Clevinger twisted his ankle. The pitcher fell down on Monday and is reportedly recovering from what team doctors determined was a minor injury. Baseball players are particularly vulnerable to twisted ankles. As podiatrists who are particularly interested in serving athletes, we at Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates in Lorain want our patients to understand the importance of having ankle injuries assessed.

An ankle sprain is what occurs when a person stretches or tears one of the ankle’s many ligaments by pulling too hard on the outside of the foot. About half of these types of injuries occur during athletic activity. The word “strain” is used to describe tears to muscles and tendons, while “fractures” are small cracks in bones. When tendons are torn, they may trigger the immune system’s inflammatory response, which is described as “tendonitis.” Elevating the foot will help swelling go down faster.

When injuries are mild, they can likely heal on their own and our concern is to provide the patient with pain relief and ensure they are rehabilitated successfully. The ankle will be weak and tender, and the patient may need anti-inflammatory injections or oral medications. But a large break may require surgery and a carefully monitored program of stretching and strength building. Patients with more severe injuries will be fitted for a customized brace to wear when not doing physical therapy. A minor injury is less likely to lead to chronic ankle instability if we are able to intervene quickly, but people who have suffered sprained ankles in the past are at greater risk for repeats. Patients can prevent relapses by wearing properly fitted shoes that are in good condition, keeping their toenails short, and by maintaining the strength of their ankle muscles.

Doctors David J. Hintz and Michael A. Wenowitz run Integrity Foot & Ankle Associates at 1740 Cooper Foster Park Road #B, Lorain, Ohio, 44053. To schedule an appointment, visit Integrity Foot and Ankle or call 440-282-1221.

Hammertoes

Have you noticed one of your toes bending upwards or becoming more difficult to move? If so, we hope you’ll schedule an appointment with Int...